What you can actually delete and what you cannot
You cannot delete information from the entire internet — no service can do that. What you can do is remove your personal details from the websites that hold them, which removes the source. Once information is gone from a data broker's site, search engines will eventually stop showing it in results, usually within weeks to a few months.
Information falls into two categories. Information you control — accounts you created, profiles you posted, photos you uploaded — you can delete directly. Information others collected about you — data brokers, background check sites, people search engines — requires you to contact the site and request removal.
Some information is harder to remove because it comes from public records: court documents, property records, marriage licenses, business filings. These sites pull from government databases, so deletion from the broker's site does not remove the original record. You can remove it from the broker, but it may reappear if they update their database later.
Key Takeaways
- Data brokers and people search sites have removal processes, usually a form on their website or an email address where you request deletion by name and address.
- Removal takes two to four weeks on average, and you should keep records of what you requested and when, in case a site does not comply.
- Information from public records (court cases, property ownership, business licenses) can be removed from data broker sites but may reappear when the site updates its database.
- Social media accounts, email accounts, and other services you created can be deleted directly through account settings, which is faster than contacting a broker.
- Search engines like Google will stop showing removed pages in results within weeks, but you can request faster removal through Google Search Console if you own the site.
Removing yourself from data broker and people search sites
Most data brokers have a removal page or form, though they make it deliberately hard to find. Look for a link labeled "Remove my information", "Privacy", "Opt out", or "Do not sell my personal information" — usually at the bottom of the homepage. If you cannot find it, search the site name plus "removal" or "opt out" in a search engine.
When you find the removal form, you will typically need to provide your full name, current address, and sometimes a phone number or email. Some sites ask you to upload a photo ID to verify you are the person requesting removal. Fill out the form completely and accurately — if your name or address does not match what the site has on file, the request may be rejected.
After you submit, the site should send you a confirmation email. Keep this email and note the date you requested removal. Most sites take two to four weeks to process the request. If you do not see removal within a month, send a follow-up message to the same contact point.
If a site does not have a removal form, look for a contact email or mailing address on their privacy policy page. Send a written request that includes your full name, address, phone number, and a clear statement: "Please remove all personal information associated with [your name] and [your address] from your database." Keep a copy of what you sent and the date you sent it.
Deleting accounts and profiles you created
Information you posted yourself — social media profiles, email accounts, online forums, dating apps — can be deleted directly through the service. This is faster than waiting for a data broker to process a removal request.
For most services, go to account settings or privacy settings and look for a "Delete account" or "Close account" option. Some services ask you to confirm deletion by clicking a link in an email or waiting a grace period (usually 30 days) before the account is permanently removed. During that period, you can usually cancel the deletion if you change your mind.
Before you delete an account, read any information you want to keep: photos, messages, documents. Most services offer a read option in settings. After deletion, that information is gone from the service's public site, though the service may keep backups for their own records.
Handling information from public records
Court records, property ownership documents, business licenses, and marriage certificates are public by law. Data brokers pull this information from government databases and republish it. You can remove it from the broker's site, but you cannot remove it from the government source.
If you want information removed from the government source itself, you will need to contact the specific agency that holds it. For example, to remove a property record, you contact the county assessor's office. To remove a court record, you contact the court clerk. These agencies have different rules about what can be removed — some allow removal for privacy or safety reasons, others do not.
Start by removing the information from data brokers first. That stops the most common way people find it. If you need the government record itself removed, contact the agency directly and ask about their removal process. Be prepared that many agencies will not remove public records, even if you request it.
Removing information from search engine results
Once you have removed information from the source websites, search engines will stop showing it in results over time — usually within a few weeks to a few months. You can speed this up by requesting removal directly from Google or Bing.
If you own or control the website where the information appeared, use Google Search Console. Sign in with the Google account associated with your site, go to the "Removals" section, and request removal of the specific URL. Google will usually remove it from search results within a day.
If you do not own the site, you can still request removal from Google, but the process is slower. Go to Google's removal request form, select the reason (usually "Personal information"), and provide the URL of the page you want removed. Google will review the request, but removal is not may provide if the page contains information Google considers newsworthy or of public interest.
For Bing, use their removal tool at Bing Webmaster Tools. The process is similar: provide the URL and reason for removal. Bing typically processes requests within a few days.
What to do if a site ignores your removal request
If a data broker does not remove your information within a month of your request, send a follow-up message referencing your original request date. Include the confirmation email or reference number if you have one.
If the site still does not respond, you have options depending on where you live. California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah have state laws that give you the right to request deletion of personal information. If you live in one of these states, you can file a complaint with your state's attorney general if a company ignores your request. Other states are adding similar laws.
You can also report the company to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportidentitytheft.ftc.gov if they are collecting or selling your information without your consent. The FTC cannot force removal, but complaints help them identify companies that repeatedly violate privacy rules.
Protecting yourself from future data collection
After you remove your information, data brokers may collect it again when they update their databases from public records or other sources. You can reduce how much new information gets collected by being selective about what you post online and what you share with companies.
When you sign up for services, read the privacy policy and look for opt-out options. Many companies have a "Do not sell my personal information" link where you can prevent them from sharing your data with brokers. Some services let you make your profile private so only people you approve can see it.
For your phone number and address, consider using a separate number or a P.O. box for online signups if you want to limit how widely that information spreads. This does not prevent data brokers from finding public records, but it reduces the number of companies that have your primary contact details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for information to disappear from search results after I request removal?
Search engines typically stop showing removed pages within two to four weeks, though it can take longer. If you request removal directly through Google Search Console or Bing Webmaster Tools, it usually happens within a few days. If you are waiting for a data broker to remove the information first, add two to four weeks for their processing time.
Do I have to pay to remove my information from data brokers?
No. Legitimate data brokers offer removal for free. If a site charges you to remove your information, it is a scam. Do not pay. Removal is a legal requirement in most states, not a service you purchase.
What if a data broker says they cannot find my information?
This sometimes happens if your name or address does not match exactly what they have on file — for example, if they have a middle initial you did not provide, or an old address. Try the request again with different variations of your name or address. If they still cannot find it, ask them to search by phone number or email instead.
Can I remove information that someone else posted about me?
Not directly. If someone posted your information on social media or a forum, you can report it to the platform and ask them to remove it, but they are not required to. If the information is false and damaging, you may be able to request removal under defamation laws, but this usually requires legal help. For data brokers, you can still request removal of your personal information even if they got it from another person's post.
Will removing my information from data brokers affect my credit score?
No. Data brokers and credit reporting agencies are different. Removing information from a people search site or background check broker does not affect your credit. Your credit score comes from credit reporting agencies like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, which have their own removal processes.